COMEDY AT THE PARK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10639, 12 July 1920, Page 8

COMEDY AT THE PARK

ATHLETIC-'VARSITY ENTER, TAINERS. INTERESTING INTERLUDES. Rarely, if ever, havo the onlookers at a football. match been amused to sucJi an extent as wero those fortunate enough to be present at Athletic Park on. Saturday to witness the match between Athletic and 'Varsity. Tlio game '-was "a scream" from start to finish. But of the aforementioned, onlookers first. On the western terrace and bank, where usually some three or four thousand enthusiasts forgather, apparently there was not a single spectator. Upon a closer examination, however, one lon© figure was discernible. He was -huddled irp in a corner, where two fences junction, right at the highest point of the bank. The fit teen hundred to .two thousand people who generally throng the northern terrace were conspicuous by their absence. Minions of the law, two, could be noticed craning

their necks around the ansle of the exit gate at that .point. To the south, not a popular vantage spot at any time, exactly forty-three men and boys crouched ■ in the leo of the ..newly-constructed fence, where they had sought shelter from a rain which was driving in from the south. More or less comfortably ensconced in the etand were between five and six hundred regular followers of. the .game, who, ever and anon, smiled and ohuclled—many laughed uproariously—at the spectacle which greeted their eyes. They behold thirty players,' a referee, two pressmen, and two small boys, all of whom are necessary to an up-to-date game of Rugby.

! RIVALLING CHARLIE CHAPLIN. | But the players -were real entertain. 1 ers. • Just after the kick-off, Scott ('Varsity) made for the ball, but, sud. dently he was seen to glide on one foot for about six yards, his arms '-waving as in imitation of a slack-wire performer, and down be crashed to terra firina, -which at that point was hidden by Eeveral inches .of water. An Athletic player, surely not in a spirit of emulation, followed suit—to the delight of the crowd, who by this tune had sensed an afternoon's fun. These Charlia Chaplin "stunts" -were the ordar of the day. .First one man would fall to a knee and skid along for several yards; then another -would act as though he were on skates. Both feet -would go from, under him, and he would sit down with a crash, slide along the ground; and smile! Occasionally, they would fall full-length backward or forward, Siddells and MoCabe "brought down the house," they were so thorough. "SNOWY" COMES TO GRIEF. __ j With thirty minutes of play "gone, one solitary figure, playing in a three-quar-ters position for Athletic, had maintained the perpendicular—his trousers were beautifully white. Just then the ball came out from a scramble and in his direction. It -was his undoing. As he made for the leather, he slipped, skidded along, made a desperate attempt to regain control of his feet, and was succeeding whgn a 'Varsity "rep"—(was it with malice aforethought?) jostled j him, and "Snowy" Adams measured his full length on -the ground. The crowd laughed and cheered, it -was so funny. One humourist started to sing "All Folk Look Alike to Me." Thereafter "Snowy" "got into it" to the benefit of his side. LUCKY EIGHT POINTS VICTORY. Of the actual play, littlo can be said. It was not Rugby. No sooner did a player, back or forward, secure possession of the ball than he dropped it to bis feet, or else kicked it down field. There was mot one passing rush during the "whole progress of the game. 'Varsity had the better of the game, and they were singularly unlucky not 1 to win. Jn the first spell.; Athletic were on the defensive the whole time, and on. no fewei than five occasions were they compelled to force down. In the second half, they played better, but even so they did not have a.s much of the play as • the 'Varsity men had in the first forty minutes. Both their scores came during the concluding stages, and were due to tuck. The first was a try by Roberts. The ball had been high punted from Athletic territory, and it dropped in open ground, between 29 players and the 'Varsity' full-back, Siddells. The latter made for the ball, as also'did Roberts, but Siddells was much.- nearer when he eKpped and sprawled full-length on the ground. This enabled Roberts to get to the bail, kick it past Siddells, and over the line, where he touched It : down. Hueh converted; Athletic 5, 'Varsity 0.

Shortly afterwards, from a scramble in the corner, the ball was kicked over the line and MeAulay, racing after it, just succeeded in rdacing his outstretched hand on it a-9 it was on the edue of the touch-in-poal line: Athletic'B, .'Varsity "0. Hush failed with the tick. DAME FORTUNE SMILES NOT.

On the other hand, 'Varsity were unlucky in not scoring. By soma really good forward clay, they carried the bull right down field and over the line, where several players fell on it. The referee very properly ordered a scrum fire yards out,, and from this the 'Varsity hookers secured; and it was sent out to Barker, irtio kicked it over the tine. Both be and Roberts made after it, but Barker overhauled Roberts, and a score seemed a certainty. However, the resourcefulness of Roberts brought about the unexpected. As Barker was about to pass him, he touched the 'Varsity runner with his shoulder, and this momentarily threw Barker out. of his stride. He recovered quickly, but just failed to reach the ball as it rolled into touch in goal. The final scores were:— Ajtbletic B 'Varsity ..'. 0 ' Mr J. Moffitt .was referee.